Only a few days ago while strolling through the woods with my field glass, I saw a pretty sight. On one tree I saw a Redheaded Woodpecker, a Flicker, an Indigo Bunting, and a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. I thought then, if we could only have the Evening Grosbeak our group of colors would be complete. Have you ever wondered at some birds being so prettily dressed while others have such dull colors? Some people say that the birds who do not sing must have bright feathers to make them attractive. We cannot believe this. Some of our bright colored birds are sweet singers, and surely many of our dull colored birds cannot sing very well. Next month you will see the pictures of several home birds. See if dull colors have anything to do with sweet song. THE TURKEY VULTURE. This bird is found mostly in the southern states. Here he is known by the more common name of Turkey Buzzard. He looks like a noble bird but he isn't. While he is well fitted for flying, and might, if he tried, catch his prey, he prefers to eat dead animals. The people down south never think of burying a dead horse or cow. They just drag it out away from their homes and leave it to the Vultures who are sure to dispose of it. It is very seldom that they attack a live animal. They will even visit the streets of the cities in search of dead animals for food, and do not show much fear of man. Oftentimes they are found among the chickens and ducks in the barn-yard, but have never been known to kill any. One gentleman who has studied the habits of the Vulture says that it has been known to suck the eggs of Herons. This is not common, though. As I said they prefer dead animals for their food and even eat their own dead. The Vulture is very graceful while on the wing. He sails along and you can hardly see his wings move as he circles about looking for food on the ground below. Many people think the Vulture looks much like our tame turkey. If you know of a turkey near by, just compare this picture with it and you won't think so. See how chalk-white his bill is. No feathers on his head, but a bright red skin. What do you think of the young chick? It doesn't seem as though he could ever be the large, heavy bird his parent seems to be. Now turn back to the first page of July "BIRDS" and see how he differs from the Eagle. [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. TURKEY VULTURE.] THE TURKEY VULTURE.